Rachael Fidler

School and College Trust Leader, Dixons Academies Trust

Rachael Fidler is a School and College Trust Leader at Dixons Academies Trust. She has worked as a principal in a successful turnaround school, a vice principal leading on outcomes and an specialist leader in education improving regional and national standards in modern foreign languages. She has spoken on national platforms on attendance and delivered CPD on crafting culture and raising standards in secondary schools and implemented a trust wide programme to embed indoor rowing in partnership with British Rowing at Dixons which is in line with her motivation to challenge educational and social disadvantage in the north in all aspects.

Hall 8b

1 Series four

Exploring the framework for joyful education

How can we create a joyful school experience grounded in belonging, purpose, and connection? This session explores a mentoring model involving pupils in year 10 who, through shared values and identity work, support their younger peers in year 8. We’ll examine how this approach empowers disengaged students to become school ambassadors, encouraging leadership and empathy through relational practice. Reflections from mentors, mentees, and school leaders will offer honest insights into the potential and challenges of this work, and the impacts it has had. Together, we’ll consider how these practices can shape more inclusive, purposeful school communities.